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The Corruption Of Power In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Power in Macbeth Power is not something that is simply obtained. It is something that is taken, something that is seized. At times it is something that is taken for the use of good. For example, Martin Luther King, Jr. took his chance of power when taking on a leadership role in leading the Civil Rights Movement. Other times it is used for evil. An example would be when Hitler rose to and seized power, and how his corrupt nature led the slaughter of many Jews in Europe. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth identifies the role that power plays in the lives of people. Power can be a dangerous commodity when used incorrectly can create a variation of complications. Macbeth is an exemplification of power being used for evil and how power can corrupt. Power has the …show more content…

Macbeth was once a true, and faithful servant to his ruler, King Duncan. The king would sing Macbeth’s praises for all of the wondrous deeds committed by Macbeth. Prior to Macbeth’s hunger for power, he was a man of wise discernment and reasoning. His intentions were pure and noble. In Act I, Lady Macbeth and the three witches convince Macbeth to kill King Duncan. Motivated by his honor and his conscience, he momentarily decides against it. “We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss…” (Shakespeare 1.7.32-34). The business refers to the murder of Duncan that Macbeth will need to commit in order for the witches prophecy to come true. Macbeth explained to his wife that murdering the king is not something he was inclined to do. It is demonstrated through this quote that Macbeth (at one point or another) was actually good. He was motivated by the honor, the “golden opinions” he had received from all sorts of people and was committed to staying motivated by that same

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Although, a common rebuttal for this argument is that Macbeth was evil inherently, since he did such heinous things. As Macbeth embarks on his treacherous path, his ambition intensifies, further catalyzed by the manipulation and encouragement of his wife, Lady Macbeth. In Act I, Scene 7, Macbeth debates the consequences of regicide, acknowledging the gravity of his actions, saying, "We still have judgment here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor" (Shakespeare 1.7.8-10). We also see that Lady Macbeth is the main reason for his decline, she even forms a plan for her

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Macbeth, the character, provides a perfect example of how even an honorable person can become corrupt when this desire is not regulated. While Macbeth is loyal and compassionate at the beginning of the play, he turns into a crazed lunatic by the end, simply because he chose to pursue power the wrong

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Corruption In Power The play The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare tells of a Scottish thane by the name of Macbeth. He is a Scottish hero who is recognized by some as brave for all his accomplishments in war. Macbeth later receives a prophecy of him becoming king and decides that he must kill to achieve the title of king. In a haze to keep his newly earned power, he kills anyone that questions his authority.

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Their thoughts and actions are clearly influenced by this desire for power. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, both characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, harm other people for power which illustrates that power has the ability to corrupt. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a very compassionate and timid character. Macbeth is resistant to do anything morally wrong.

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At the beginning of the play Macbeth, the main character Macbeth learns that he will become King. When he realised he could be the leader, the power he desperately craves motivates him to alter his character. “Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done.” (2.4.6-14)

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A position of power is the ultimate indicator of success. Everyone seeks it, some more than others, and yet so few succeed in obtaining it. Those who do are often the most ruthless and evil of characters who are the least suitable for such a gift, but through their perseverance they obtain it nonetheless. Lady Macbeth is one such character. She may be unworthy but through her ruthless and adamant attitude she commits herself entirely to the sole purpose of possessing power.

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Jayden harjani Ms Junqueira English 2 10 May 2023 The effects of power Power and Corruption are usually Intertwined together throughout history. When power is talked about throughout history, it is rarely used for good, and those with power usually use it for personal gain. it is believed that power is what corrupts those with it but throughout my research, it is shown that power does not corrupt people it just amplifies their true nature. No fictional character displays how power can affect a person and their behavior more than the story of Macbeth, in which he Is willing to kill his closest friends and allies to gain and keep the power he is accumulated.

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"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" (Lord Acton, British Historian). It is in the human nature for one to commit more corrupt actions if a greater amount of power is provided. Individuals with an excess amount of power tend to imagine what their life would be like with that certain something in their life, which elucidates what the individual really wants to see, and how it can come to be. In this case, when power results in corruption, it mainly happens to those that least expect it. In the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, the tragedy of Macbeth, he gained most of his power through the works of lying and killing individuals, thus resulting in the murder of Duncan and Banquo due to the great amount of fear that began to develop, which lead to his tragic downfall.

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Through his actions, Macbeth soon becomes known as a tyrant. In William Shakespeare’s, Macbeth, Shakespeare demonstrates how people who obtain authority over others are susceptible to corruption through Macbeth’s immoral actions as King of Scotland

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“Absolute power corrupts absolutely”, this an excellent example of the drama by William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Macbeth. When we meet Macbeth at the beginning of the play, he is labeled as “brave Macbeth”, a man who is recognized for his honor, bravery and heroics on the battlefield, and kindness and love away from it, but these qualities fade as the play develops. The motor that drives the tragedy of Macbeth is ambition, throughout the whole play, ambition is what holds the most overwhelming power to influence the actions of others. The murder of King Duncan was influenced most by Macbeth’s ambition and hunger, at the cost of his morality.

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The Power of Power Abraham Lincoln once stated, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Power can show a man’s true intentions and reveal someone's authentic character. In Shakespeare’s works, he uses common ideas of power and jealousy to develop the plot. In Macbeth a prophecy born out of witchcraft drives Macbeth to lust for the power of king. Hiding this evil causes macbeth to kill even more, ending the life of one of his closest friends.

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Power can be used to achieve greatness and create a positive nature in the world, but it also has the ability to create havoc and chaos if in the wrong hands. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the main character, Macbeth, gains power quickly in terrible ways, and abuses the power to create pandemonium in Scotland. He was informed about a prophecy which foretold his future with many complications ahead of him. As the play progresses, Macbeth may be characterized as a hero who submerges to evil to become the villain, due to his ambition, maliciousness, and wickedness.

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Once in power, many individuals find themselves consumed by an overwhelming thirst to control others. When someone possesses control and authority over others, they become infected with evil and wicked behaviours which begin to dominate and destroy their minds. Like Hitler, Mussolini, and Saddam Hussein who all desired absolute power, Macbeth too was an example of this self destructing demeanour. Their “vaulting ambition” led to many unfortunate incidents which resulted in the death of innocent lives. People who believe that absolute power doesn’t corrupt absolutely are very mislead.

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Power can not only bring ambitious people honors, but also make them lose everything. In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, it demonstrates that the immoral power influences the life of Macbeth dramatically. Macbeth’s abuse of power destroys his relationship with his cousin, friend, and wife, which shows that Macbeth’s wild ambition causes him to be isolated. Macbeth’s abuse of power destroys his relationship with his cousin, Duncan.

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David D’Elia Mr Novak & Mrs Jara English 10 16 Mar. 2023 Corrupting Influence of Unchecked Ambition William Shakespeare's Macbeth is a timeless tragedy that delves into the complex themes of ambition, power, and greed. The play follows the character of Macbeth as he gives in to his desire for power, leading him down a path of destruction. From Lady Macbeth's manipulation of her husband's ambition to Macbeth's realization of the fleeting nature of power, and corrupting Influence of unchecked ambition and greed.

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